UDC 378:37.033 DEVELOPMENT OF ECOLOGICAL COMPETENCE OF SOCIAL WORK SPECIALISTS IN CONTINUING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51706/2707-3076-2022-6-7
Abstract
The problems of professional development of social work specialists on the basis of the competence approach are considered. The main operational goals of environmental training in a continuing education institution are identified, which are to master the knowledge that natural resources are interconnected and limited; natural resources affect the standard of living in society, they are unevenly distributed on Earth; man is actively changing the processes that occur in nature; urgent measures must be taken in this regard to preserve the relevant values of nature resources for future generations; proper use of natural resources requires a significant amount of knowledge from various fields of science and technology; the development of society and technology is causing changes in the way natural resources are used, and so on.
The article presents the formulation of the purpose and means of development of ecological competence of social work specialists in continuing education institutions. The essence of the necessary changes in the content-procedural aspects of professional development of a specialist in social work in ecology has been clarified. In particular, it is necessary to supplement the content of environmental training with information on environmentally balanced consumption, opportunities and the need to regulate needs, positive examples of solving environmental problems at regional and local levels, including everyday life examples. The importance of encouraging, organizing and supporting activities aimed at the collection and processing of secondary raw materials, economical use of heat, electricity and water in everyday life was emphasized.
It is concluded that only by understanding and realizing from personal experience the content of advanced training in ecology, social workers can be psychologically ready to carry out environmental activities. Social workers should not only teach others the principles of environmental thinking, but also be an example of environmental activity on these principles. This task is difficult and controversial, because it requires a change in their views and behavior, conscious limitation of needs and the education of new resource-saving habits.
The actual tasks that need further solution are outlined: updating the content and process of professional development of social work specialists; development of appropriate integrated training courses, which would not be limited to the transfer of information, but involve a change of position, patterns of behavior, stereotypes; development of various necessary educational and methodological literature sources for specialists in social work devoted to ecological thinking.
